Mens basketball team looks to the future
Spring training and possible new players next season keep team excited

By Sarah George · The Mainstream
Published February 22, 2011

Falling short of the NWAACC tournament, the Riverhawk men’s basketball team didn’t leave without a making a statement.

The team's loss against Southwestern Oregon Community College on Feb. 5 left the team in a tough spot. In order for the men to continue their battle in league, they needed to win five out of the six games left in the season.

A tough weekend traveling to first-ranked Chemeketa Community College on Feb. 11 saw the team on a high and low. During the game, returning player Trevor Clemo hit an all time personal high score of 44 points, making up over half of the team’s total score. Although the team's scoring was up, the men lost 87-74. The following night’s game was to decide the fate of the team, going up against second-ranked Clackamas Community College. The game wasn’t as close as the night before, and the men ended up losing by a final score of 79-48.

Earlier in the season, the men were shooting better. They’re inconsistent now, but they are working on getting it to where it should be.

At a postseason tournament in Pendleton, Oregon, the men placed second, losing to Clackamas by five points in the final game.

One of the best games the men have played was at Portland Community College on Jan. 29. They were behind the whole game up until the second half where they grabbed the lead and won 80-74. Four of the teammates scored 15 points during the game, showing everyone what they can do.

The most difficult game was on the road to Mt. Hood where they ran into early foul trouble and had difficulty rebounding due to their tall opponents. The Riverhawks' shooting wasn’t up to par and the team ended up losing by 30.

Trevor Clemo is third in the NWAACC conference for scoring, and fourth in the region. He averages about 21 points and about 10 rebounds per game. He has accepted a full ride scholarship to OIT in Klamath Falls, so the team is looking for someone to fill his shoes.

The second leading scorer for the team is Kaden McFarland who started playing at conference. McFarland is a freshman who graduated from South Umpqua High School and is averaging about 13 points and about eight rebounds per game.

Coach Richard Robles is looking to hit off the new season with spring training and looking at bringing four new athleats on to the team. The athletes are looked at from all over Oregon, and also some in California and Alaska. When looking for recruits, Robles says, "I really try to bring in local talent and bring in the community."

This is Robles’ second year at UCC and he is still trying to build up the program and its reputation. His concern is more towards getting quality athletes and preparing them for their education and career. Robles really enjoys the people he works with and is trying to build a foundation so the men’s basketball program can last awhile.